The clubs in your
bag that are considered the short irons are the 8, 9, pitching wedge,
and sand wedges. As implied by their name, the short irons have shorter
shafts and are used for hitting targets that are about 145 yards or less.
The clubheads on short irons have the greatest angles, providing the most
loft in the ball's flight path, and allowing the player to land the ball
close to the intended target with minimum roll.
The short irons can
make or break your round of golf. Greens are usually surrounded by hazards
that must be skillfully avoided. Spend time hitting balls at targets that
are different distances and figure out how far you can hit each club with
a nice, smooth swing. Never try to force the clubhead through the ball.
If you make a smooth swing with an 8 iron and the ball travels 120 yards,
then the 8 iron is the club to use from 120 yards.
Make sure to let the clubhead fall down on the back of the golf ball,
striking the ball on the downswing. Do not help the clubhead down
and do not attack forcefully. Let the clubhead fall. Hitting the ball
on the upswing will cause you to top the ball, sending lower and further
than you wanted.
The key to a successful short ironshot, is to trust the loft of the
club. Let the clubhead fall, and the loft of the club will shoot it
in the air.
A perimeter weighted club with a low center of gravity and beveled
edges will enable you to move the clubhead through the ball and the
ground, without digging the clubhead down too deep.
For best results in improving your golf game, consult your local PGA
Professional. He or she can help you identify specific areas for improvement
and prescribe the practice techniques that are right for you.
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1.
As
with any club, when making a full swing, start with your feet
about shoulder width apart. Your toes should be on a line parallel
to your target line with your right foot straight, and your
left toe open slightly. With your right foot straight, your
right leg will stay braced through the backswing. With your
left toe open slightly, your hips and body will be able to move
through the swing and into your finish.
2.
The
ball should be positioned in the middle of your feet, because
the swing plane is a little steeper and the clubhead will bottom
out at the middle of your feet.
3.
Grip
the club with your normal grip and place the clubhead behind
the golf ball, with the clubface pointed towards your target.
Your hands should be positioned over the inside of your left
thigh, in order to obtain a pull through effect when swinging
through the ball.
4.
Sweep
the clubhead away from the ball smoothly, keeping the clubhead
low to the ground. Use your normal swing.
5.
Hold
your right knee in position and swing back as far as you can,
holding you right knee in position.
6.
For a full swing, stop the club shaft about parallel to the
ground at the top. For a three quarter swing, stop a little
short of parallel.
7.
Start the downswing with your weight shifting onto your left
foot. Let the club fall and slightly trail the weight shift.
Hold onto your wrist cocked until you can't hold it any longer.
8.
At
the point of impact, your head should be lined up with the back
of the ball and your arms extended, and hands ahead of the clubhead.
9.
If your weight shift was on time, you will leave a thin divot
after striking the golf ball. The divot should be pointed toward
the target.
10.
Finish
the swing and hold your finish until the ball lands. If you
can't hold your finish, you are swinging to hard.
Make sure to let the clubhead fall down on the back of the golf ball,
striking the ball on the downswing. Do not help the clubhead down
and do not attack forcefully. Let the clubhead fall. Hitting the ball
on the upswing will cause you to top the ball, sending lower and further
than you wanted.
The key to a successful short ironshot, is to trust the loft of the
club. Let the clubhead fall, and the loft of the club will shoot it
in the air.
